Apples

This dessert is easier and faster to make than an apple pie or crisp, and requires no baking. Instead of refined sugars, this recipe uses dates for sweetness, and lemon juice and nutmeg for that extra zing.Visit Cathy Fisher’s blog atStraight Up Food. more→

Antioxidant and nutrient-dense cranberries have so much going for them. Why not enjoy these tart treats raw? This delicious relish can be made in minutes and can be enjoyed on special occasions (like Thanksgiving and Christmas, when cranberry sauce is a staple) or for everyday meals. This recipe doubles easily for serving a crowd. Served in small portions, this provides a great burst of color and flavor to the plate and goes just as well with spicy dishes as it does with comfort foods.

Apples and cinnamon folded into vegan pancakes; what can you say but “Yum”? This is a lovely leisurely weekend breakfast or brunch, especially in the fall, when apples are abundant. Photos by Evan Atlas.

Baked apples are a luscious breakfast or brunch treat that’s good for you as well as easy to make. And with crushed almonds rather than the traditional breadcrumbs, it’s gluten-free as well. Recipe contributed by Caryn Hartglass, founder of Responsible Eating and Living. more→

This dessert is super easy to throw together, even at the last minute. Surprisingly, the most common brand of puff pastry (Pepperidge Farm) is actually vegan. Though it’s not the healthiest product in the world (to say the least — make this a once-in-a-while treat!), it’s a great way to make an impressive dessert quickly. Check the freezer section for it; it’s sold in sheets that come in a narrow, rectangular box. If you’re serving company, double the recipe (two puff pastry sheets come in the box)—it goes fast! Recipe from Vegan Yum Yum* by Lauren Ulm. Photo by Debby Sunshine, from Vegan American Princess.more→

This delicious gluten-free apple pie is perfect for winter holiday fare. And because it’s so easy to make, it’s a nice way to lighten your load when you’ll be doing a lot of other cooking. Dates balance the tartness of Granny Smith apples beautifully, but you can make endless variations on this pie by choosing almost any fruit that’s in season and pairing it with whatever dried fruit seems appealing. Contributed by Leslie Cerier, from Gluten-Free Recipes for the Conscious Cook.*more→